Swing Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A swing apparatus ( 10 ) is attachable to a frame ( 12 ). The apparatus comprises an elongate support member ( 18 ) suspendable from the frame so as to be moveable with respect thereto. One or more swings ( 26 ) are suspended from or coupled to the support member at locations along the length thereof. Each swing is capable of oscillatory motion with respect to the support member. A body, which may be another swing, is suspended from or coupled to the support member at another location along its length. In use, the oscillating motion of the body transfers energy to the support member. This causes the support member to move with respect to the frame. Energy is transferred to the swing(s) causing it(them) to oscillate. Further, a swing comprises the swing apparatus and a frame.

The present invention relates to a swing apparatus for attaching to a frame and, in particular but not exclusively, to a swing on which two or more persons can swing.

Children's swings typically comprise a swing seat suspended from a metal frame with ropes or chains. Children sitting in the seats of such swings may be pushed by an adult or a friend, and older children may swing themselves by pushing off from the ground with their feet and then moving their legs backwards and forwards whilst swinging to maintain and/or increase the swinging action. For children, playing on swings is an enjoyable activity, and swings are readily available for public use in playgrounds, or can be purchased for assembly in one's own garden.

Playing on a swing is also an enjoyable activity for children—or even adults—with disabilities or special needs. However, constant supervision is required, both to initiate and maintain the swinging action, and also to monitor the child/adult in the swing to ensure they are safe and secure, and that they are enjoying themselves and not experiencing any difficulties.

Motorised swings are available, whereby the swinging action is initiated and/or maintained by a motor. Whilst this frees a supervising person from continually needing to push the swing, such devices are disadvantageously more expensive than standard non-motorised swings, and may not therefore be a viable option to people caring for children with special needs at home, for example. Furthermore, whilst there are many motorised baby swings available, few suitable motorised swings are available for older children or adults.

The present invention has been designed with the foregoing in mind.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a swing apparatus as defined in claim 1. The body may be another swing. Thus, a person (the “active person”) e.g. a supervising adult/carer may initiate a swinging motion by swinging normally in the seat they are sifting in (i.e. as they would on a conventional swing), and the motion is transferred to swing a person or persons (“passive persons”) sitting in the other seat(s) of the swing. It is an advantage that a passive person of any age, weight and height (who may not be able to execute the swing motion themselves) may be swung by the swinging motion of the active person, who may even be smaller and weigh less than the inactive person. The system may be considered as a reciprocal swing, where the swinging motion of one person causes reciprocal swinging motion of one or more other swings.

Alternatively, the body may be a mass. The swing apparatus may further comprise actuating means operable for causing the mass to oscillate with respect to the support member. The actuating means may comprise motor means.

In an embodiment, the support means is rigid. In a preferred embodiment, the support means is a bar. Conveniently, a rigid bar is suspendable substantially horizontally from a substantially horizontal frame. This enables the support member to oscillate substantially in parallel to the frame.

Preferably, one or more means are provided for suspending the support member from the frame. The suspending means may comprise one or more linkages coupling the support member to the frame. The suspending means may comprise first bearing means coupling said linkages to the frame. The suspending means may further comprise second bearing means coupling the linkages to the support member. The first bearing means may be configured to permit movement of the linkage relative to the frame and/or the second bearing means may be configured to permit movement of the linkage relative to the support member. The moveable bearing means may comprise pivot means or hinge means. It is an advantage that the swing apparatus may be attached to existing, conventional swing frames.

Each of the of swings may comprise a seat. One or more of said seats may comprise safety means for securing a person within said seat. Preferably, at least one of the plurality of seats is configured such that a person sitting in that seat will face the opposite direction to persons sitting in the other seats. It is thus an advantage that the active person can sit in a seat facing the other persons sitting in the other seats, which facilitates care and monitoring of these persons. It is a further advantage that the active person can interact with the passive person(s) as this could facilitate the active person teaching passive persons how to swing for themselves.

In an embodiment, the swing apparatus further comprises means for suspending the seats from the support member. The suspending means may be configured to permit movement of the seats relative to the support member. The suspending means may comprise pivot means or hinge means provided at or on the support member. It is an advantage that any number of swings for passive persons may be connected to the support member in this way. The seats may be suspended from the support member with one or more ropes and/or chains.

In an alternative embodiment, the swing apparatus comprises rigid suspending means for suspending the seats from the frame. The suspending means may be configured to permit movement of the seats relative to the frame. Preferably. the rigid suspending means are coupled to the support member. Coupling the rigid suspending means to the support member provides for transfer of energy in a reciprocal swing system. Conveniently, known swings having rigid suspending means can be coupled to the support member.

The support member may be constructed of metal and/or wood. The support member is preferably tubular. It is an advantage that all of the components of the swing apparatus are inexpensive and readily available.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembly into a swing apparatus as defined in claim 26. The kit may be assembled into the swing assembly of claim 1. Furthermore, the kit may comprise any or all of the components defined in claims 2 to 25. It is an advantage that the swinging apparatus is simple and easy to assemble, and that the cost of manufacture is low.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swing as defined in claim 28. The swing may comprise the swing apparatus of any of claims 1 to 25 and a frame. In an embodiment, the frame comprises a substantially horizontal upper member and the support member is suspended from the frame substantially in parallel with the upper frame member. Preferably, the support member is shorter in length than the horizontal upper member of the frame. It is an advantage that the support member and swings suspended therefrom or coupled thereto may be suspended from an existing swing frame. The frame may be constructed of metal. The frame may also be constructed from lengths of tubular components. It is an advantage that all of the components of the swing are inexpensive and readily available.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a swinging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention in situ on a swing frame;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the swinging apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a swinging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention in situ on a swing frame; and

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the swinging apparatus of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a swing apparatus 10. The swing apparatus 10 is suspended from a frame 12. The frame 12 comprises an upper cross bar 14 extending between two supports 16. The upper cross bar 14 is connected to the supports 16 by way of connectors 17. The connectors 17 may be bolted to the upper bar 14 and supports 16, or be otherwise configured to secure the upper bar 14 to the supports 16. Each support 16 conveniently comprises an A-shaped frame having two legs 16 a that support the upper cross bar 14 above the ground. The legs 16 a extend downwardly from the ends of the upper cross bar 14, and outwardly with respect to each other. A further cross bar or brace 16 b is provided therebetween. Such swing frames 12 are known and readily available.

A support member or bar 18 is suspended from the upper cross bar 14. In the embodiment shown, two points of suspension 22, 24 are provided, but it will be appreciated that any number of points of suspension may be provided. Linking means 20 are provided for suspending the bar 18 from the upper cross bar 14. The link 20 may be rigid (e.g. one or more lengths of tubing) or non-rigid (e.g. a chain or chains). The link 20 is moveably attached to the upper cross bar 14, e.g. using a bearing, hinge or a pivot 22, but it will be appreciated that any other suitable means may be used. The links 20 are also moveably attached to the bar 18 at attachment points 24. Again, it is convenient to use bearings, hinges or pivots, but any other suitable means may also be employed. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the connection 22 between the upper bar 14 and the link 20 provides for rotational or pivotal movement of the link 20 in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper cross bar 14. Similarly, the connection 24 between the link 20 and the bar 18 provides for rotational or pivotal movement of the bar 18 with respect to the link 20.

The hinged/pivotal arrangement 20, 22, 24 thus allows rotational or pivotal movement between the upper cross bar 14 and the link 20, and between the link 20 and the bar 18. The bar 18 is shorter in length than the upper cross bar 14. This allows the bar 18 to swing relative to the upper cross bar 14. It will be appreciated that it is not essential for both ends of the links 20 to be moveably (e.g. pivotally or hingedly) attached to the upper cross bar 14 and to the bar 18. For example, the attachment between the upper cross bar 14 and the link 20 could be fixed, or the attachment between the link 20 and the bar 18 could be fixed. Provided that the other attachment 22, 24 is pivotally/hingedly or otherwise moveably connected to enable the suspended bar 18 to swing relative to the upper cross bar 14, it will be possible to achieve reciprocal swinging motion.

Suspended from the bar 18 are two or more swings 26. Each swing 26 comprises a seat 28. The seat 28 is suspended from the bar 18 by members 30 attached to the seat 28 and the bar 18. The members 30 may conveniently be chains or ropes. The ropes 30 are attached to the bar 18 in a manner that enables a person to swing whilst sitting in the seat 28. For example bearings, hinges, pivots, hooks or rotatable clips 32 could link the ropes 30 to the bar 18. Alternatively, the rope 30 itself could be tied or looped around the bar 18. Two swings 26 are shown in FIG. 1, but embodiments having more swings are also contemplated.

It is to be noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 show swings suspended from the bar 18 at two locations, where there is one axis of rotation—the bar 18. However, the invention may also be embodied in swings having two axes of rotation, where there are four points of suspension, for example. Such arrangements are employed, for example, in cradle swings for infants or those with disabilities and platform swings for wheelchair users rather than seats on which a person sits directly. Embodiments of the present invention may provide for swings 26 to be suspended from the bar 18 at any number of suspension points 32, including four points of suspension (i.e. two axes of rotation), or even at a single location, on the bar 18.

The swing apparatus 10 is designed to be operated by one person (the “active” person), whose swinging motion causes persons (“passive” persons) sitting in the one or more other seats to swing. Different swing seats 26 may be provided for the active and passive persons. The seats 26 provided for the passive persons may be adapted to provide improved support to a person sitting therein, and may be provided with safety features such as harnesses, safety belts etc. Such a seat 26 may comprise a more substantial seat 28 for the passive persons—e.g. a chair or hammock for example—whereas the seat 28 for the active person may be a simple board or plank-type seat.

In use, the active person initiates swinging as on a conventional swing, by pushing off from the ground with their feet, and then building up the oscillatory movement by extending their legs forwards and backwards rhythmically as they swing. Energy from the swinging movement of the active person is transferred to the ropes 30 and to the bar 18. The bar 18 is caused to oscillate with respect to the upper cross bar 14. That is to say the bar 18 is caused to oscillate backwards and forwards in parallel with the upper cross bar 14. Energy is transmitted through the bar 18 to the ropes 30 of the other swing(s) 26 in which the passive persons are sitting. The resonance created causes the swings 26 of the inactive persons to start moving. As the passive person(s)' swing(s) build up energy and movement this, in turn, transfers energy back to the swing 26 of the active person via the same principle. The active person then only needs to start swinging again when the other swings 26 are losing energy. The swings 26 therefore act as coupled pendulums and the motion of one gives energy to the other(s).

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of the swing apparatus 10 is shown. The features that correspond to those of the first embodiment are referred to with like reference numerals. A swing 26 is suspended from the bar 18, and it will be appreciated that there may be any number of swings 26. The features and behaviour of the swing 26 are the same as for the swings described in relation to the first embodiment, and the same options and alternatives mentioned in relation thereto may also be utilised in this embodiment.

A second swing 26′ is suspended from the frame bar 14. The second swing 26′ comprises a seat 28′, suspended from the frame bar 14 by rigid members 30′ extending between the seat 28′ and the bar 14. The rigid members 30′ are connected to the frame bar 14 with connector 31′. In the embodiment shown, the seat 28′ is a tandem seat that can accommodate two persons (e.g. the Skyride™ swing by TP Activity Toys Ltd). It is convenient to provide a seat member 28″ that spans the distance between the two persons that sit on the seats 28′ facing each other. The rigid members 30′ are also attached to the seat member 28″. Two rigid members 30′ are convenient in this embodiment, as each of the two persons can hold on to one of the rigid members 30′ for stability, but it will be appreciated that a different number of rigid members 30 (including a sole rigid member 30) could be utilised. A footplate 29′ is also provided extending downwardly from the tandem seat 28′, 28″, to support the feet of a person sitting thereon. Alternatively, a single footplate 29′ could be provided for use by both persons swinging on the second swing 26′. It will also be appreciated that the footplate 29′ is optional, or that it could be included in any of the other swings described in this or other embodiments of the present invention.

The connector 31′ houses the upper ends of each of the rigid members 30′. In the embodiment shown, the connector 31′ is captive on the bar 14. The connector and the rigid members 30′ are rotatably movable with respect to the bar 14. Alternatively, the rigid members 30′ could be hingedly or pivotally mounted on the bar 14, for example. The rigid members 30′ are coupled by coupling means 34′ to the support bar 18 that is suspended from the bar 14. The coupling means 34′ couple the rigid members 30′ to the bar 18 by providing contact therebetween. One way of achieving this is to provide a brace or braces 36′, fixed to the bar 18 with fixing means 38′, which pass around or are fixed to the rigid members 30′. It will be appreciated that any means that physically couples the bar 18 and swing 16′ together can be employed.

As in the first embodiment, the swing apparatus 10 is designed to be operated by one person (the “active” person), whose swinging motion causes persons (“passive” persons) sitting in the one or more other seats to swing. In the second embodiment, the swing 26 or the second swing 26′ may be the active swing, the oscillatory motion of which can cause the other (passive) swing (or swings) to oscillate.

In use, the active person initiates swinging as on a conventional swing, by pushing off from the ground with their feet, and then building up the oscillatory movement by extending their legs forwards and backwards rhythmically as they swing. Energy from the swinging movement of the active person is transferred to the ropes 30/rigid member 30′ and to the bar 18. The bar 18 is caused to oscillate with respect to the upper cross bar 14. That is to say the bar 18 is caused to oscillate backwards and forwards in parallel with the upper cross bar 14. Energy is transmitted through the bar 18 to the ropes 30/rigid members 30′ of the other swing(s) 26, 26′ in which the passive persons are sitting. The resonance created causes the swings 26, 26′ of the inactive persons to start moving. As the passive person(s)' swing(s) build up energy and movement this, in turn, transfers energy back to the swing 26, 26′ of the active person via the same principle. The active person then only needs to start swinging again when the other swings 26, 26′ are losing energy.

It has been found that, for embodiments with more than one inactive swing 26, it is advantageous for the swing 26 of the active person to be positioned between the inactive swings 26. For example, if three swings 26 are suspended from the frame 12, the best position for the active swing 26 is between the inactive swings 26.

It will be appreciated, from the embodiments described above, that it is contemplated that either a swing 26 that is suspended from the bar 18 or a second swing 26′ that is coupled to the bar 18 may be the “active” swing. Any number of other “passive” swings (which themselves may either be swings 26 suspended from the bar 18 or swings 26′ coupled to the bar 18) may also be provided in the swing assembly.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the drawings, a body (e.g. a mass) and one or more swings 26 are suspendable from or coupled to the bar 18. Pushing or otherwise actuating (e.g. by employing a motor) the mass into oscillatory motion will transfer energy to the bar 18 and to any swings 26 suspended therefrom or coupled thereto in the same way as described above.

As mentioned above, the swing apparatus 10 may be attached to existing, conventional swing frames 12. Swing frame manufacturers often advise stipulate a maximum weight limit that should be respected when using swings suspended from the swing frame. It is to be noted that the addition of the swing apparatus 10 of embodiments of the present invention does not prejudice or reduce this weight limit. On the contrary, the addition of the swing apparatus 10 to a frame 12 acts to spread any weight acting thereon by swinging persons towards the ends of the frame, distributing the weight down through the frame towards the ground. 

1. A swing apparatus for attaching to a frame, said apparatus comprising: an elongate support member suspendable from said frame so as to be moveable with respect to said frame; one or more swings suspended from or coupled to said support member at locations along the length thereof, each of said swings being capable of oscillatory motion with respect to said support member; and a body suspended from or coupled to said support member at a different location along the length of the support member, the body being capable of oscillatory motion with respect thereto; wherein, in use, the oscillating motion of said body transfers energy to said support member causing the support member to move with respect to said frame and to transfer energy to the swing(s) causing it(them) to oscillate.
 2. The swing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body is a swing.
 3. The swing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body is a mass.
 4. The swing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an actuator for causing said mass to oscillate with respect to the support member.
 5. The swing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said actuator comprises a motor.
 6. The swing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support member is rigid.
 7. The swing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support member is a bar.
 8. The swing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more suspenders for suspending said support member from said frame.
 9. The swing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said suspenders comprise one or more linkages for coupling said support member to said frame.
 10. The swing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said suspenders comprise a first bearing for coupling said linkages to said frame.
 11. The swing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said suspenders comprise a second bearing coupling said linkages to said support member.
 12. The swing apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first bearing is configured to permit movement of said linkage relative to said frame and/or said second bearing is configured to permit movement of said linkage relative to said support member.
 13. The swing apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first and/or second moveable bearing comprises a pivot or hinge.
 14. The swing apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said swings comprises a seat.
 15. The swing apparatus of claim 14, wherein one or more of said seats comprises a safety feature for securing a person within said seat.
 16. The swing apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of said plurality of seats is configured such that a person sitting in that seat will face the opposite direction to persons sitting in the other seats.
 17. The swing apparatus of claim 14, further comprising one or more suspension member for suspending said seats from said support member.
 18. The swing apparatus of claim 17, wherein said suspension member is configured to permit movement of said seat(s) relative to said support member.
 19. The swing apparatus of claim 17, wherein said suspension member comprises a pivot or hinge provided at the support member.
 20. The swing apparatus of claim 17, wherein said seats are suspended from said support member with one or more ropes and/or chains.
 21. The swing apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a rigid suspension member for suspending said seats from said frame.
 22. The swing apparatus of claim 21, wherein said rigid suspension member is suspended from said frame so as to permit movement of the seats relative to the frame.
 23. The swing apparatus of claim 21 wherein the rigid suspension member is coupled to the support member.
 24. The swing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support member is constructed of metal.
 25. The swing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support member is tubular.
 26. A kit of parts for assembly into a swing apparatus as defined in claim 1, the kit comprising a support member suspendable from a swing frame; one or more swings suspendable from or couplable to said support member; a body suspendable from or couplable said support member; and a suspension coupling said swings and said body from said support member.
 27. A swing comprising the swing apparatus of claim 1 and a frame.
 28. The swing of claim 27, wherein said frame comprises a substantially horizontal upper member and said support member is suspended from said frame substantially in parallel with said frame upper member.
 29. The swing of claim 28, wherein said support member is shorter in length than said horizontal upper member of said frame.
 30. The swing of claim 27, wherein said frame is constructed of metal and/or wood.
 31. The swing of claim 27, wherein said frame is constructed from lengths of tubular components. 